In Norn Iron, they've had compulsory R plates for 30-odd years. Statistically, they make **** all difference. -- Platypus - Faster Than Champ VN800 Drifter, R80RT DIAABTCOD#2 GPOTHUF#19 BOTAFOS#6 BOTAFOT#89 FTB#11 BOB#1 SBS#35 ANORAK#18 TWA#15
Simply because, AFAICT everyone just treats them like 'L' plates -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l. Really, Sprint 1.7 Ducati Monster 600 Metallic www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
What, no cars moving out to deliberately block you off? Trying to pull away faster you already admit to, and a novice might not appreciate this. IMO, there *are* some drivers who would like nothing better than to score a point over a bike, and the P plate might just give them the incentive to do so. As with everything, it's your shout. Cheap shot. And fairly stupid to boot. -- John SV650 Black it is and naked
Which is surely good? I would assume P means "I'm not very sure of the road, please treat me with caution". Pretty much the same as I assumed L would mean. So you *maybe* get a little more space and avoid an accident due to inexperience. Seems good to me.
Aggressively, no. There have been a few when I've been filtering on the motorway that haven't appreciated me trying to pass and have closed the gap I was approaching (but not in a way that caused me any danger). There was one bloke on the M4 that gave me a load of verbal and swerved towards me as I passed him on the inside but in *his* defense I had just motioned him to do it. I can honestly say in the last year or so I can't recall a single incident where someone tried to piss me off. I would anticipate that I pissed off many people in this time. Well I think you're wrong and are perpetuating the 'us and them' stereotype. Sense of humour, stat!
IME definitely not. If only it happened that way. Round here, everyone seemed to treat it as an invitation to pull out, cut in and generally **** you up Or not, as the case may be. Just out of curiousity, when did you last have L plates? -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l. Really, Sprint 1.7 Ducati Monster 600 Metallic www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
I think things may have changed a little since then. Not that I can be really sure since I certainly wasn't wearing L plates back then. I am only commenting on my own experience as a (moderately) recent learner driver / biker in North London and Essex. YMMV -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l. Really, Sprint 1.7 Ducati Monster 600 Metallic www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
I can't say it happens often, but it does. More than once within the last year. Mind you, I do filter a lot. I'm very pleased to say I've never experienced aggression on the motorway. I know the latter feeling... No, I don't think so. The majority of drivers are reasonable, but there are exceptions. Heck, I'm not even talking about being on a bike, some cars are more than keen to prove they can be first away from the lights, undercut several cars before lanes merge etc... I wouild say it's not uncommon for me to get to the front of the queue at the lights only to have the cage next to me start creeping forward desperate to get away first. They never make it though ;-). I suppose in the main I'm talking about Nova boy and his mates, but they are around. Hmmmm, looked like a cheap dig to me. -- John SV650 Black it is and naked
Of course it was. But it was a little bit of gentle ribbing. If you can't take that then thank **** I didn't say what I was really thinking...
If I couldn't take it you'd have had a full on 'bite' wouldn't you ;-) Something like: '**** off you arrogant ****, just because I ride a bike reckoned to be good for newbies and a girl's bike doesn't mean you can get all excited about sticking your dick up my arse.' -- John SV650 Black it is and naked
